subject: Treating Bad Breath [print this page] Chronic halitosis is one of the most taboo and misunderstood condition of modern times. Wrongly associated with poor oral hygiene, chronic bad breath finds its source in a bacterial imbalance of the oral cavity most of the time.
Areas of the mouth where bad breath causing bacteria proliferate are very difficult to reach, let alone thoroughly clean. These areas include deep within the crevices of the tongue, bellow the gum line, inside mucus, in tonsil crypts, in the back of the throat, inside lingual tonsils, in bio-film present in between teeth, on cheeks, tongue, roof of mouth, and gums.
To achieve long term relief, the best way to treat chronic halitosis is to reverse a previously favorable oral environment into hostile grounds for anaerobic bacteria. To begin the reversal process, follow these basic steps.
- FLOSS. Let's be honest, everyone hates doing this. Remember that the key to success is to be consistent with your daily cleaning habits. If you have had trouble in the past being consistent about flossing, the best alternative is the oral irrigator. It takes a fraction of the time to use this device than to floss manually.
It also has the advantage of delivering anti-bacterial agents below the gum line, flossing tape will not. Overall, the oral irrigator is a great device for anyone serious about oral hygiene.
- BRUSH. You can brush with a regular toothbrush, but when dealing with a condition as difficult to treat as chronic bad breath, you may want go the extra mile. This toothbrush is the only one who will get the job done. Here's why:
a/ The average person will produce some 300 strokes per minute when brushing manually while regular electric brushes will produce some 7 000 strokes per minute. The sonic toothbrush on the other hand can deliver up to 40 000 strokes per minute, that's over 660 strokes per second! A regular Gatling gun for killing germs and keeping great oral hygiene.
b/The sonic toothbrush has the ability to clean up to 1/8th inch (4mm) beyond the tip of its bristle by creating waves of turbulence known as 'dynamic fluid'. With this process, it dislodges germs from areas of the mouth that are difficult to reach. Perfect for dislodging bacteria from within the crevices of the tongue where they tend to proliferate as well as other hard to reach areas of the mouth.
- FLUSH THE SINUS. Mucus is nothing more than different strands of proteins, one of the bacteria's favorite food sources. Mucus is also a great shelter inside which they penetrate to protect themselves from oxygen rich saliva and allows them to reproduce exponentially undisturbed in ideal surroundings.
Flushing the nasal passages regularly is an absolute must to starve off anaerobic bacteria and deprive them of a safe haven. You can do this with over the counter nasal sprays, but I don't recommend using them on the long term. They contain additives that will eventually irritate nasal tissue. The best alternative is using an iodine-free nasal powder used in conjunction with a sinus irrigation system. It can be used several times a day every day with absolutely no side effects whatsoever.
USE THE RIGHT MOUTHWASH. Because cleaning the back of the throat is near impossible, a mouthwash with powerful anti-bacterial agents is absolutely necessary. It's important to spend as much time swishing and gargling in order to deliver the germ killing agents all over the mouth and throat. Stay clear of over the counter alcohol based mouthwash, the drying agents will worsen your breath.
USE THE RIGHT TOOTHPASTE. Personally, I've stopped using commercial toothpastes a while back. I make my own homemade toothpaste, it's easy and cheap. This is what you'll need: Salt, baking soda, and 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide.
- Mix 1 part table salt with 3 parts baking soda - Add undiluted 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide until it turns into a thick paste
This mix will clean teeth, clean tongue, kill bacteria, whiten teeth, and more importantly, will freshen your breath. I like to add a little spearmint essential oil for taste and additional freshness. Don't forget to also brush tongue, gums, cheeks, and roof of mouth.
